Civil Engineering program of VSU Main Campus secures COPCs for its five specializations

Under the new guidelines set by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), this is the first in the entire Visayas region where the BSCE program is granted with COPCs.

The COPCs were formally granted to VSU on January 29, 2025 for the five specializations of BSCE including the Construction Engineering and Management, Geotechnical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Transportation Engineering, and Water Resources Engineering. 

On February 7, VSU President, Dr. Prose Ivy G. Yepes, personally received the COPCs from CHED Regional Office VIII. 

“These COPCs are one of the manifestations to our mission of propelling VSU further and farther. Let’s always comply with the policies, standards, and guidelines set by CHED so as not  to give false hopes to our students,” Dr. Yepes said.

On January 17, 2025, the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering program of VSU Main Campus was granted its COPC, which is also the first in the Visayas region to receive COPC under the new guidelines of CHED.

The COPC on BS Civil Engineering is a recognition that the degree program being offered by the VSU is fully compliant with the policies, standards, and guidelines of CHED and aligned with the current educational reforms such as K to 12 basic education curriculum, new general education, outcomes-based education and other applicable professional standards.

Same with other programs with COPCs offered in VSU, the issuance of the COPCs for the BSCE was dependent on the careful review of its  academic offerings on areas for instruction, research, and community Involvement. 

In addition, it gave emphasis on the extent of the implementation of the Outcome-Based Engineering Education (OBEE) outlined  in CHED CMO 37, s. 2012. It further examined the program administration, faculty qualifications, infrastructure and facilities, library resources, and student support services.  

It was in 2023 when CHED released the revised policies and guidelines regarding the issuance of COPCs to State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs).

Dr. Jannet C. Bencure, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Engr. Epifania G. Loreto, former Department Head of Civil Engineering, and Engr. John Christian L. Gaviola, the current Department Head, profoundly expressed their gratitude for the concerted efforts extended by the VSU administration for this success.       

This article is aligned with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).